VOL 5 NO 4 December 2023

What's Buzzing at

Independence Elementary STEM

STEM: Science, Technology,

Engineering, & Math

Each December our school adds an additional focus on STEM with days dedicated to special activities. Each grade level has activities just for them as well as having all students participate in a challenge in the STEM Lab.  


Third grade students participated in two STEM activities in their classrooms. The first was a paper challenge. The goal was to take an ordinary piece of paper and make it longer with no glue or tape. This took creativity and critical thinking. Some students ended with a piece of paper that was well over 15 feet long! The second activity was coding bracelets. Students used binary code and their initials to create a unique bracelet. Finally, third grade students had a classroom visit with a doctor from CentraCare Clinic.


Our fourth graders had two different activities. One activity was to save the spaghetti from breaking when books fell on top of it. Students collaborated with others to choose materials and create a package to protect the spaghetti. The other activity they completed was creating paper circuits with copper tape and LED lights. Additionally, some fourth grade students presented projects they had been working on for the Minnesota Zoo’s Zooms STEM Design Challenge.


The fifth grade classes had two challenges that practiced all of the 4 C’s. First they did a pipeline challenge by taking a piece of paper and creating the longest ramp for a ball to roll down. Students then connected their individual ramps to see how far the ball could travel. The other classroom activity was using ordinary materials to design something to make the life of a student even better. Each group then had to present their ideas to their classmates. Fifth graders also had a virtual learning experience with Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center.


This year the challenge for all students in the STEM Lab asked them to design a cause and effect machine. Students worked in groups and needed a machine that had at least five steps. The goal of the machine was for a ball to land in a cup. Students learned about backwards design as one possible way to approach the task.  



Community Partners

Our third grade students have been learning about the human body systems through our new Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts program. To complement this learning, Dr. Nabeel Ailabouni, from CentraCare Clinic, was invited to speak to them about what they were learning and answered any burning questions. CentraCare Clinic is a community partner that has been teamed up with our 5th grade team of Ms. Olson and Ms. Vanderberg.



PBIS: Positive Behavior

Interventions & Supports

December’s Monthly Theme was Confidence.  Students showing positive displays of confidence will be recognized at our Student of the Month Assembly on December 21st.  In addition, staff have been looking to give Hornet Tickets to students throughout this month who were showing positive displays of confidence in their classrooms and spaces.  You may also have seen your child come home with some new “toys” recently as this month the Stinger Store made its second visit to all classrooms. 

Literacy

How CKLA Connects


If you have students in multiple grade levels, you may have noticed that there are common themes in our new ELA curriculum, Amplify CKLA.  That design is intentional!  A knowledge building curriculum is designed to support students as they layer new learning upon past learning and foster connections between and among concepts and topics.  

In looking at this graphic, you may notice that our students are learning complex content and ideas in every grade level.  In our district email signature it says, “High Expectations, Exceptional Results,” and we mean it!  We know our students are capable of amazing learning at high levels, and we are providing them with the opportunity to do just that! 

We hope you are enjoying discussing the topics your students are learning at the dinner table, on the way to practice, and while you run errands. 




Here’s the Beat About the Musical!


Written by: Jacey Dilger and Candice Alamadine


Putting together a musical performance takes a lot of work before the audience takes their seat. Ms. Hermanson and Ms. Hawkins did so much to make this a success.  It takes a lot of time to practice. In the months leading up to the show, that’s just what we did whenever we went to music class. 


When we first started learning about the musical the main thing we had to learn was the songs.  After learning all of the songs, students tried out for speaking parts and solos.  Next we started learning the moves, the music teachers helped with this by making a video for all of the movements. For each music class up to the big day we practiced our group songs, solos, movements or speaking parts.  

   

On the day before the actual musical performance we had large group rehearsals on the stage. These are very important because when you are performing you might get a little nervous and this helps get the nerves out. We also had the opportunity to practice in front of a student audience.


On the night of the musical, while our families found their seats, we waited backstage on the stands. Our teachers helped the students and made sure everyone was there. Finally the curtain was pulled back and we performed in front of a gymnasium full of people. That’s the beat about the musical.

Yearbooks are on sale through April 30th, 2024. They are $25 and can be purchased on Jostens’ website. There is also an option to donate a yearbook to students whose families cannot afford one. These are handed out by the school counselor at the end of the year. 


PTO needs YOU! Do you like having a PTO? Do your children enjoy field trips, the assemblies that come in throughout the year, the shirts they got in kindergarten or are looking forward to getting in 3rd grade, and getting yearbooks? Do you know that without the PTO these things would not exist? Our first PTO meeting we announced that we had 1 open chair position that needed to be filled. We did not have any applications or interest. We now have BOTH chair positions open. Without people filling these positions by the end of the school year, the PTO will be out of compliance with the 5013C governing board and need to terminate our status and disband. Doing this, means no more cost-free field trips or support for our students and staff. If you think you have time to donate to your student, their classmates, our community, and the future of our schools, please join the next public PTO meeting on January 8th at 6pm at Liberty in the Media Center. Free childcare is available to any parent attending the PTO meeting in the Kids Club room. A decision will need to be made at the March public meeting if we have to disband the PTO due to lack of parent involvement per the governing board.

In Other News...

A Reminder that New Parent Pick Up Procedures start January 2nd!


If you have not yet received your QR pass, please contact the office or your classroom teacher.  Please review the Q&A below for answers around:

  • Where to go first if you have children at both Liberty and Indy.
  • What to do if picking up more than one child.
  • Procedures if you need someone else to pick up your child.
  • What to do if you don’t have the QR pass.
  • And more!


Why are we making these changes?

This new system will help increase our security around parent pickup.  At Liberty, students are hand to hand when it comes to parent pickup.  We are now ensuring that we also have established this same security at Indy.  However, as Indy students are older, we do not need a hand to hand system, as they are able to walk independently to the vehicles once that vehicle has been scanned.


What time will the parent pick-up begin?

Our school day officially ends at 2:20pm.  As we do a staggered dismissal, our parent pickup students get dismissed from their classrooms beginning at 2:14.  That means they likely will not be exiting our building until closer to 2:20pm (the end of school day time).  Our hope is to have all families through by 2:35pm.


What happens if I am picking up more than one child?

Each QR code is unique to that particular student.  If you are picking up more than one child, you will need a QR code for each student.


What if my kids carpool with the neighbor?

It is the parents’ responsibility to monitor who has access to your pick-up pass QR code.  You are able to decide with whom it should be shared.


Can I send someone to pick up my child early from school with the pick-up pass?

No, the pick-up pass is only for picking up students after the school day has ended.  If your child is being picked up early, the person picking up must come into the office, show their ID, and be listed in Infinite Campus with permissions to pick up.


How do I share my pick-up pass for carpooling purposes?

This can be done two ways.  You can request another pick-up pass at any time by reaching out to our office.  You can also take a picture of the QR code and share it that way.  The picture must be clear without glare to allow it to be successfully scanned.


What happens if I forget the pick-up pass?

You will need to park in the lot and enter our office.  Procedure will be the same as with early pickup.  You will need to show your ID and be listed in Infinite Campus with permissions to pick up.


What happens if a pick-up pass is lost?

Please notify the office right away.  For security purposes, we will discontinue that QR code and issue a new unique QR code for that student.  New and additional pick-up passes can be picked up in our office.


Right now I am picking up my child from the parking lot.  Can I still do this?

No, all families must use the pickup lane and have their pass scanned.  Students will not be dismissed from the gym until their ride’s pass has been scanned.

Upcoming Dates...

December 22 - January 1st:

NO School - Winter Break


January 15th:

NO School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day


January 16th:

NO School - Teacher Workshop Day


District News

Food Service Reminder



Please remember that a free meal includes the approved full meal. Any extra meals, extra meal items, or ala cart can only be served to students with funds in their food service accounts.

Click Here to Learn More!

Click here to add funds to your student account.

Big Lake

Community Education


Winter/Spring Registration is now open! Check out all the amazing offerings for our students and community!



Click Here to Register Today!

Contact Us


763-262-2537

indy@biglakeschools.org


Attendance Line:

763-262-2532

ind.attendance@biglakeschools.org

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